{"version":"1.0.0","segments":[{"startTime":1.176,"endTime":3.688,"body":"You're listening to Podcasting Made Simple."},{"startTime":26.508,"endTime":33.103,"body":"Or maybe brushing up on your guests' previous interviews to ensure that your questions are"},{"startTime":26.508,"endTime":33.103,"body":"unique and informed."},{"startTime":33.104,"endTime":36.076,"body":"Or insert your personal prep method here."},{"startTime":36.076,"endTime":37.908,"body":"And you know what?"},{"startTime":37.908,"endTime":41.15,"body":"I'll bet it makes for a great podcast episode."},{"startTime":41.15,"endTime":48.196,"body":"But what if it could make for a great something else, I'm going to let you in on a little"},{"startTime":41.15,"endTime":48.196,"body":"secret."},{"startTime":48.296,"endTime":53.921,"body":"Contrary to popular belief, podcasting isn't the only form of multimedia out there."},{"startTime":53.921,"endTime":55.261,"body":"Gasp, right?"},{"startTime":55.774,"endTime":66.421,"body":"It turns out that exploring other forms of digital or print media or even non-media"},{"startTime":55.774,"endTime":66.421,"body":"formats for audience engagement can provide a lot of benefit back to your podcast."},{"startTime":66.522,"endTime":70.825,"body":"I call this exploring alternative forms of content."},{"startTime":70.825,"endTime":80.672,"body":"And doing so first and foremost helps you get more bang for your buck in terms of the"},{"startTime":70.825,"endTime":80.672,"body":"preparations and research you are already doing for your podcast."},{"startTime":80.672,"endTime":84.344,"body":"Breathing new life into all those behind the scenes"},{"startTime":84.344,"endTime":89.478,"body":"Word docs and Google Sheets that no one but you ever sees or appreciates."},{"startTime":90.159,"endTime":100.527,"body":"And if that's not reason enough to explore alternative forms of content, branching out"},{"startTime":90.159,"endTime":100.527,"body":"beyond podcasting, if you will, can I interest you in growing your podcast audience?"},{"startTime":100.688,"endTime":109.815,"body":"If there's one thing that we can all agree on as podcast hosts, it's that we are operating"},{"startTime":100.688,"endTime":109.815,"body":"in a saturated media environment."},{"startTime":109.815,"endTime":113.068,"body":"Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not doubting your ability"},{"startTime":113.068,"endTime":122.402,"body":"or my ability, or frankly, any passionate podcasters ability to carve out a niche for"},{"startTime":113.068,"endTime":122.402,"body":"themselves and then make great content for loyal listeners."},{"startTime":122.442,"endTime":131.406,"body":"But meaningfully growing that loyal listener base is tough, and we need to get more"},{"startTime":122.442,"endTime":131.406,"body":"creative with our strategies for doing so."},{"startTime":131.746,"endTime":140.19,"body":"The reality is there are probably a ton of people out there who would love the content"},{"startTime":131.746,"endTime":140.19,"body":"that you're regularly sharing to your RSS feed."},{"startTime":140.28,"endTime":145.993,"body":"but only a minority of them are naturally drawn to audio content, to podcasts themselves."},{"startTime":146.334,"endTime":155.859,"body":"We need to be able to meet these potential listeners where they are, online or in the real"},{"startTime":146.334,"endTime":155.859,"body":"world, and then draw them back into our shows."},{"startTime":155.96,"endTime":160.862,"body":"It turns out that alternative content formats are a great place to start."},{"startTime":161.203,"endTime":167.016,"body":"So, what can these mystical alternative content formats actually look like?"},{"startTime":167.318,"endTime":170.58,"body":"Not to overwhelm, but they can be literally anything."},{"startTime":170.58,"endTime":172.681,"body":"The world is your oyster."},{"startTime":172.721,"endTime":179.425,"body":"And in just a minute, I'm going to give you some tips for how to narrow down the"},{"startTime":172.721,"endTime":179.425,"body":"possibilities and then proceed to take action."},{"startTime":179.425,"endTime":183.827,"body":"But to get the creative juices flowing, let's just throw some examples out there."},{"startTime":184.108,"endTime":194.804,"body":"If digital options are more your speed and, importantly, the speed of your targeted"},{"startTime":184.108,"endTime":194.804,"body":"audience, alternative content could look like a virtual film festival or an online seminar"},{"startTime":194.804,"endTime":195.714,"body":"series."},{"startTime":195.958,"endTime":202.341,"body":"If you want to get out in the real world, a job fair, a networking event, or a walking"},{"startTime":195.958,"endTime":202.341,"body":"tour could do the trick."},{"startTime":202.482,"endTime":204.863,"body":"Maybe you could write and publish a book."},{"startTime":204.863,"endTime":207.704,"body":"The possibilities are truly endless."},{"startTime":208.005,"endTime":217.649,"body":"And now at this point, if I've done my job correctly, you're intrigued and you see the"},{"startTime":208.005,"endTime":217.649,"body":"potential value, but maybe you're just not quite sure where to start."},{"startTime":217.75,"endTime":226.054,"body":"So here is a five-step process that I've used to turn my podcast into alternative content"},{"startTime":217.75,"endTime":226.054,"body":"formats not once,"},{"startTime":226.154,"endTime":229.116,"body":"not twice, but three times to date."},{"startTime":229.116,"endTime":233.359,"body":"And I think it'll help you get started on your alternative content journey too."},{"startTime":233.359,"endTime":236.401,"body":"So the first step is the obvious one."},{"startTime":236.401,"endTime":240.544,"body":"You need to pick what type of alternative content to generate."},{"startTime":240.564,"endTime":244.847,"body":"But beware, this choice should not be taken lightly."},{"startTime":245.148,"endTime":251.813,"body":"Ideally, you're gonna select an option that interests you personally, since you need to"},{"startTime":245.148,"endTime":251.813,"body":"feel inspired to continue the process."},{"startTime":251.813,"endTime":254.304,"body":"But you will need to think beyond that too."},{"startTime":254.794,"endTime":265.023,"body":"you're going to want to determine the unique needs of your audience, which starts by"},{"startTime":254.794,"endTime":265.023,"body":"identifying the genre or niche that your podcast already fills, and then maybe polling"},{"startTime":265.023,"endTime":271.147,"body":"your existing audience about what sorts of content they'd be interested in beyond your"},{"startTime":265.023,"endTime":271.147,"body":"audio."},{"startTime":271.308,"endTime":279.935,"body":"You could set up a survey or use your podcast call to action to elicit feedback or set up"},{"startTime":271.308,"endTime":279.935,"body":"polls in your Instagram stories."},{"startTime":280.416,"endTime":283.298,"body":"Your priority is to answer the question"},{"startTime":283.382,"endTime":285.964,"body":"what are my current listeners' needs?"},{"startTime":285.964,"endTime":292.729,"body":"Because chances are the people who should know about your podcast but don't have those"},{"startTime":285.964,"endTime":292.729,"body":"exact same needs."},{"startTime":292.85,"endTime":294.831,"body":"Let's think of some examples."},{"startTime":295.252,"endTime":304.71,"body":"If you have a career podcast skewing towards recent grads, maybe your listeners would"},{"startTime":295.252,"endTime":304.71,"body":"benefit from a networking event or a happy hour where everyone exchanges resumes and"},{"startTime":304.71,"endTime":306.721,"body":"provides constructive feedback."},{"startTime":306.842,"endTime":312.396,"body":"If you're a film-focused podcast, maybe you could host a showcase for local or student"},{"startTime":306.842,"endTime":312.396,"body":"filmmakers."},{"startTime":312.63,"endTime":315.392,"body":"Is your audience comprised of entrepreneurs?"},{"startTime":315.392,"endTime":319.435,"body":"You could host online seminars featuring CEOs."},{"startTime":319.556,"endTime":322.859,"body":"Maybe you have a book review podcast and you could launch a book club."},{"startTime":322.859,"endTime":325.74,"body":"That could be done virtually or in person."},{"startTime":325.941,"endTime":334.648,"body":"I know I said this before, but I'm going to say it again because the success of your"},{"startTime":325.941,"endTime":334.648,"body":"alternative content journey depends on doing step one right."},{"startTime":335.009,"endTime":341.884,"body":"Answer the question, what do my listeners need and pick an alternative content format that"},{"startTime":335.009,"endTime":341.884,"body":"responds accordingly."},{"startTime":342.38,"endTime":346.471,"body":"Okay, you've got a big idea and you're ready for step two."},{"startTime":346.892,"endTime":352.554,"body":"It would be really cool for you to be able to make your alternative content happen all on"},{"startTime":346.892,"endTime":352.554,"body":"your own."},{"startTime":352.554,"endTime":358.737,"body":"And depending on what your content is and the existing skill sets you have, maybe you can"},{"startTime":352.554,"endTime":358.737,"body":"do that."},{"startTime":358.777,"endTime":362.798,"body":"But chances are you'll need or even just want to partner with others."},{"startTime":362.879,"endTime":371.682,"body":"That means you're gonna need to figure out what collaborations or additional logistical"},{"startTime":362.879,"endTime":371.682,"body":"knowledge will help you bring your idea to life."},{"startTime":372.376,"endTime":376.827,"body":"Should you partner with an independent movie theater to host your film screening?"},{"startTime":376.907,"endTime":379.528,"body":"Maybe a nearby bar to host that happy hour?"},{"startTime":379.528,"endTime":385.29,"body":"Or maybe there's a local business association that would want to sponsor your CEO seminar."},{"startTime":385.55,"endTime":392.192,"body":"If you want to write a book, do you know how to write a book proposal and how to query"},{"startTime":385.55,"endTime":392.192,"body":"publishers?"},{"startTime":392.312,"endTime":394.272,"body":"Do you know how to self-publish?"},{"startTime":394.533,"endTime":400.084,"body":"Do you even know how to choose whether traditional publishing or self-publishing is right"},{"startTime":394.533,"endTime":400.084,"body":"for you?"},{"startTime":400.618,"endTime":404.041,"body":"These might be logistical knowledge gaps that you'll need to fill."},{"startTime":404.041,"endTime":405.602,"body":"They certainly were for me."},{"startTime":405.602,"endTime":412.608,"body":"But trust me, it is so worth your time to build those relationships and fill those"},{"startTime":405.602,"endTime":412.608,"body":"knowledge gaps."},{"startTime":412.608,"endTime":415.921,"body":"Frankly, at this stage in the game, Google is your friend."},{"startTime":415.921,"endTime":418.293,"body":"All right, moving on."},{"startTime":418.293,"endTime":420.714,"body":"Step three is critical."},{"startTime":420.835,"endTime":424.998,"body":"Make a plan to spread the word about your alternative content."},{"startTime":425.058,"endTime":430.252,"body":"After all, the point of exploring alternative content formats is to engage new audiences."},{"startTime":430.262,"endTime":438.044,"body":"especially the ones who don't naturally gravitate to podcasts or aren't very adventurous"},{"startTime":430.262,"endTime":438.044,"body":"when it comes to trying out new ones."},{"startTime":438.304,"endTime":441.085,"body":"So where are you going to go to find those future listeners?"},{"startTime":441.385,"endTime":451.208,"body":"You should definitely advertise on your podcast and any social media accounts or mailing"},{"startTime":441.385,"endTime":451.208,"body":"list you've already established, but that shouldn't be the extent of it."},{"startTime":451.208,"endTime":453.888,"body":"Please do not let that be the extent of it."},{"startTime":454.109,"endTime":459.63,"body":"Try getting out in the virtual or in-person communities where your alternative content"},{"startTime":454.109,"endTime":459.63,"body":"will ultimately live."},{"startTime":459.766,"endTime":466.65,"body":"Think flyers in your downtown coffee shop or reaching out to your local community college"},{"startTime":459.766,"endTime":466.65,"body":"or university."},{"startTime":466.991,"endTime":477.057,"body":"This is also a really great time to tap those new relationships you built back in Step 2,"},{"startTime":466.991,"endTime":477.057,"body":"since your collaborators will hopefully advertise to their networks as well."},{"startTime":477.238,"endTime":483.802,"body":"Remember, we're trying to grow your listenership and reach people who've never heard of"},{"startTime":477.238,"endTime":483.802,"body":"your podcast."},{"startTime":483.942,"endTime":484.843,"body":"Yet."},{"startTime":484.843,"endTime":487.646,"body":"Okay, think you're ready for Step 4?"},{"startTime":487.745,"endTime":489.442,"body":"I think this is one of the"},{"startTime":489.442,"endTime":493.284,"body":"biggest pitfalls that most creators accidentally fall into."},{"startTime":493.564,"endTime":495.525,"body":"Step four is actually a rule."},{"startTime":495.926,"endTime":499.527,"body":"Don't commit until you can repeat."},{"startTime":499.768,"endTime":503.83,"body":"I literally want that sewn onto a pillow, but what does it mean?"},{"startTime":503.99,"endTime":511.714,"body":"It means hold off on launching your alternative content until you're prepared to replicate"},{"startTime":503.99,"endTime":511.714,"body":"it, to do it again."},{"startTime":511.954,"endTime":513.295,"body":"Think of it this way."},{"startTime":513.435,"endTime":519.198,"body":"As podcasters, we don't release an episode without having a plan for when the next one's"},{"startTime":513.435,"endTime":519.198,"body":"coming."},{"startTime":519.394,"endTime":522.415,"body":"And we don't want to do that for alternative content either."},{"startTime":522.675,"endTime":531.339,"body":"Just as you want people excited and tuning in for your next episode, you want people to"},{"startTime":522.675,"endTime":531.339,"body":"look forward to engaging with your alternative content."},{"startTime":531.539,"endTime":535.541,"body":"So, how often will you plan your networking events?"},{"startTime":535.621,"endTime":536.741,"body":"Monthly?"},{"startTime":537.062,"endTime":541.403,"body":"How often will you convene a book talk after your manuscript is published?"},{"startTime":541.704,"endTime":542.904,"body":"Quarterly?"},{"startTime":543.245,"endTime":545.645,"body":"How often will you host your walking tour?"},{"startTime":546.026,"endTime":547.136,"body":"Annually?"},{"startTime":547.542,"endTime":549.443,"body":"There's no right answer here."},{"startTime":549.443,"endTime":554.287,"body":"It just matters that there is an answer and that you're prepared to stick with it."},{"startTime":554.287,"endTime":565.435,"body":"Set a precedent, set an expectation, make people come back for more information, and hey,"},{"startTime":554.287,"endTime":565.435,"body":"maybe you can tell them to get that information from your podcast."},{"startTime":565.755,"endTime":567.996,"body":"Which leads me to step five."},{"startTime":568.437,"endTime":575.402,"body":"Drive your audience back and forth from your podcast to your alternative content and then"},{"startTime":568.437,"endTime":575.402,"body":"back again."},{"startTime":575.724,"endTime":584.719,"body":"Let your alternative content audience know that if they like the vibe of your networking"},{"startTime":575.724,"endTime":584.719,"body":"event, they can listen to your podcast to tide them over until the next one."},{"startTime":584.839,"endTime":595.025,"body":"If the people who attend your film showcase loved seeing and discussing the work of a"},{"startTime":584.839,"endTime":595.025,"body":"local filmmaker, tell them they can hear from more filmmakers to watch in your weekly"},{"startTime":595.025,"endTime":596.645,"body":"podcast interviews."},{"startTime":596.786,"endTime":603.349,"body":"And make sure your existing podcast listeners know that this alternative content is for"},{"startTime":596.786,"endTime":603.349,"body":"them too."},{"startTime":603.57,"endTime":604.364,"body":"In fact,"},{"startTime":604.364,"endTime":613.379,"body":"They can dive even more deeply into the topics and the conversations that they already"},{"startTime":604.364,"endTime":613.379,"body":"love by engaging with your new alternative content as well."},{"startTime":613.539,"endTime":614.599,"body":"And that's it."},{"startTime":614.7,"endTime":616.42,"body":"That's my five-step plan."},{"startTime":616.821,"endTime":618.662,"body":"It sounds fairly straightforward."},{"startTime":618.662,"endTime":626.466,"body":"So people have actually asked me before why I think podcasters venturing into alternative"},{"startTime":618.662,"endTime":626.466,"body":"forms of content isn't more common."},{"startTime":626.466,"endTime":634.28,"body":"I'm sure the answer depends on the individual podcaster, but one frequent reason is simply"},{"startTime":626.466,"endTime":634.28,"body":"imposter syndrome."},{"startTime":634.528,"endTime":642.522,"body":"Many podcasters have existed in this sphere where they've already felt judged at one point"},{"startTime":634.528,"endTime":642.522,"body":"or another for even having a podcast."},{"startTime":642.582,"endTime":651.547,"body":"When people doubt your ability to host a successful show, it can be pretty natural to"},{"startTime":642.582,"endTime":651.547,"body":"think, what makes me qualified to branch out beyond podcasting?"},{"startTime":651.547,"endTime":655.869,"body":"And this, my friends, is where we come full circle."},{"startTime":655.93,"endTime":664.564,"body":"Because the exact thing that makes you qualified to podcast makes you qualified to explore"},{"startTime":655.93,"endTime":664.564,"body":"alternative forms of content too."},{"startTime":664.846,"endTime":666.086,"body":"Do you know what that is?"},{"startTime":666.266,"endTime":669.947,"body":"It's all that prep work and all that research for your episodes."},{"startTime":670.067,"endTime":674.189,"body":"That dedication, that work is what makes your podcast great."},{"startTime":674.189,"endTime":677.629,"body":"And it'll make your alternative content great too."},{"startTime":678.39,"endTime":681.63,"body":"Speaking of, you know what's beautiful about all this?"},{"startTime":681.791,"endTime":687.172,"body":"You have already generated the content portion of your alternative content."},{"startTime":687.492,"endTime":690.193,"body":"What did you choose to pursue back in step one?"},{"startTime":690.293,"endTime":691.793,"body":"Was it to write a book?"},{"startTime":691.973,"endTime":694.504,"body":"Your podcast research is your book outline."},{"startTime":694.818,"endTime":698.079,"body":"Was it to host a movie club or a seminar series?"},{"startTime":698.5,"endTime":702.181,"body":"Tap the filmmakers or business leaders that you've interviewed for your show."},{"startTime":702.541,"endTime":705.522,"body":"More bang for your podcast buck."},{"startTime":706.023,"endTime":708.004,"body":"But wait, there's actually more."},{"startTime":708.004,"endTime":713.266,"body":"And once again, if you are anything like me, this will excite you most of all."},{"startTime":713.586,"endTime":723.17,"body":"At its core, exploring alternative content formats will help you establish more personal,"},{"startTime":713.586,"endTime":723.17,"body":"more trusting relationships with your audience."},{"startTime":723.446,"endTime":734.289,"body":"If you started with step one in my five-step recipe, you are literally responding to your"},{"startTime":723.446,"endTime":734.289,"body":"audience's needs, and maybe even getting the opportunity to meet and engage with them in"},{"startTime":734.289,"endTime":735.409,"body":"person."},{"startTime":735.77,"endTime":746.153,"body":"Speaking from my own personal experience, it's the audience members who've engaged with my"},{"startTime":735.77,"endTime":746.153,"body":"alternative content who are the most responsive to my podcast calls to action."},{"startTime":746.153,"endTime":751.294,"body":"They trust me enough to share their honest feedback on my episodes, good or bad."},{"startTime":751.532,"endTime":759.646,"body":"And they're also the ones who most noticeably share my podcast with their friends and"},{"startTime":751.532,"endTime":759.646,"body":"family and social media followers."},{"startTime":760.027,"endTime":765.51,"body":"In the end, this sort of relationship growth helps you create better content for your"},{"startTime":760.027,"endTime":765.51,"body":"listeners."},{"startTime":765.51,"endTime":774.315,"body":"And it also makes those listeners more willing and more excited to take the plunge with"},{"startTime":765.51,"endTime":774.315,"body":"you when you pursue your next big thing."},{"startTime":774.315,"endTime":778.837,"body":"Or even when you decide it's time to take a new exciting risk with your show."},{"startTime":779.338,"endTime":780.138,"body":"So."},{"startTime":780.374,"endTime":784.336,"body":"If there is one thing I can leave you with today, it's this."},{"startTime":784.656,"endTime":788.818,"body":"The story doesn't have to end when you click publish on your next episode."},{"startTime":788.879,"endTime":792.901,"body":"Give that content some new life outside of the audio sphere."},{"startTime":792.901,"endTime":796.843,"body":"And I promise your podcast will reap the rewards."},{"startTime":797.404,"endTime":801.366,"body":"For more episodes, please visit podmatch.com forward slash episodes."},{"startTime":801.366,"endTime":803.146,"body":"Thank you so much for listening."},{"startTime":804.147,"endTime":805.268,"body":"Hey, Alex here."},{"startTime":805.268,"endTime":809.228,"body":"I want to give you a gift as a way of saying thank you for staying around till the end of"},{"startTime":805.268,"endTime":809.228,"body":"this episode."},{"startTime":809.228,"endTime":815.948,"body":"I put together a list of five things that you can read in less than five minutes that will"},{"startTime":809.228,"endTime":815.948,"body":"help you level up as a podcast host, guest, or agency."},{"startTime":815.948,"endTime":821.195,"body":"To see the five things with no email address required, please visit podmatch.com forward"},{"startTime":815.948,"endTime":821.195,"body":"slash free."},{"startTime":821.195,"endTime":822.167,"body":"Thanks again for listening."},{"startTime":822.167,"endTime":824.169,"body":"I hope these five things serve you well."}]}